Dubai, UAE: The Automechanika Dubai Network - an industry engagement platform from Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organisers of Automechanika Dubai, the Middle East’s largest annual trade show for the automotive aftermarket sector - is planning to boost its geographic outreach next year with planned 2023 road shows in Serbia and South Korea.
News of the expansion came at the Network’s latest meeting, which was devoted to Safety in all aspects of transportation, manufacturing, and servicing and which members attended physically and online.
Members heard how Messe Frankfurt Middle East also plans to boost the Network’s online presence and, following the platform’s feedback, has also expanded the prestigious Automechanika Dubai Awards program, which recognises the top talent and high-performing organisations in the automotive aftermarket and service industry.
“The awards will recognise individuals, organisations and products across the MENA region for their outstanding performance, exceptional service quality, sustainability, and safety initiatives and achievements,” explained Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen Show Director, Automechanika Dubai, which will run at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 22 – 24 November this year.
“We have added two new categories for 2022 – one recognising excellence in automotive customization, the other honouring the industry’s ‘specialist of the year’, and there will also be a special Jury Recognition Award. The program’s expansion reflects growth in the regional industry and in the Automechanika Dubai following.”
Vitali Bielski, Director, Mobility Practices, Frost & Sullivan told the Safety meeting that research shows over 70% of drivers do not understand their cars’ safety features with up to 90% of drivers not fully pressing the brake pedal to avoid a collision or a crash. Bielski said the emergence of the data connection would help improve road safety in the future; “We believe it is one of those spaces where technology innovation is likely to improve the safety aspect of mobility,” he said.
Vishal Pandey, Partner – Automotive & Mobility Practice, Glasgow Research & Consulting Group told the gathering that applying smart mobility on a wider scale across the GCC will lead to broader benefits in creating safer roads through vehicle automation and better safety technology’; reducing traffic congestion through the provision of alternative transport options such as shared rides, scooters, bicycles, or mass transit; a clear environment and more effective workforce.
“Reinventing mobility will have an important effect on the workforce. Some households will be able to move closer to urban areas and dispose of their private vehicles, increasing their employment prospects and options. Those that choose to move farther away from urban centres can do so as travel times decrease and as autonomous vehicles and other transit options allow commuters to be productive while travelling,” he said.
Safety challenges both on the road and within aftermarket service centres will be among key topics explored at the Automechanika Academy – the show’s main knowledge-sharing platform – when industry players will examine the challenges the sector faces as it looks to rebound to pre-COVID plans for growth until the end of the decade, and the impact of the sector’s growing digitalisation.
“Digital solutions will also take centre stage in the show’s Innovation Zone, which will be a directional indicator of where the sector is heading while the Academy will have in-depth industry insights, strategic market updates, and thought-provoking discussions,” added Bilikozen.
“We have received confirmations from a myriad of high-profile delegates alongside international experts, key government authorities, and leading industry players who will analyse the changing dynamics of the global automotive aftermarket industry.”
Automechanika Dubai 2022 will also feature AfriConnections, a customized feature where industry players will get a glimpse into the future of the African spare parts market over the next 20 years, the Modern Workshop – a special program of training, seminars, and product demos for workshop professionals as well as a Tools & Skills competition testing the participants’ knowledge and skills in various aspects of tire changing, tire mounting and much more.
Meanwhile, delegates heard how this year’s Automechanika Dubai has sold out, with the show set to span 11 halls taking up 43,000 square metres. It will feature 1145 exhibitors from 53 countries – a 98% growth on last year, host 20 country pavilions, including first-time participation from Indonesia and Morocco, and has received double the number of pre-registered visitors than the last show with professionals from 135 countries registering.
“We are looking at a record-breaking performance across all key event metrics,” added Bilikozen.
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- 2022